The Alexandria Brief: Friday, November 21
Rosemont bike lane vote raises questions about civic association representation
Good morning, Alexandria. I’m Ryan Belmore, founder and publisher of The Alexandria Brief.
From debates over civic association representation to controversies over school capacity planning, Alexandria tackled challenging questions this week about how the city makes decisions. Here’s what you need to know for Friday, November 21.
Essentials
Weather: A chance of rain, mainly after 1 p.m. Cloudy, with a high near 56 degrees. Calm wind. The chance of precipitation is 40%. Rain tonight, with a low around 49 degrees. Light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 80%—new precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch are possible.
The sun will rise at 6:57 a.m. and set at 4:50 p.m. High tides at 8:57 a.m. and 8:57 p.m. Low tides at 3:13 a.m. and 2:49 p.m. There will be 9 hours and 53 minutes of sun.
Happening This Weekend: It’s a big weekend in Alexandria with the Holiday Tree Lighting, Cider Festival, and Turkey Trot - more details in the events section below.
1️⃣ Fifty-nine Rosemont residents vote against parking removal for Braddock Road bike lanes
The Rosemont Citizens Association voted 49-10 Wednesday night to oppose removing parking spaces on Braddock Road for protected bike lanes, a decision that has sparked debate about civic association representation. The vote involved 59 people at the monthly meeting — about 1.4% of the neighborhood’s 4,136 residents, according to census data published by the RCA.
Opponents of the city’s Braddock Road Trail Access and Corridor Improvements Project raised concerns, including the removal of a handicap-accessible parking space at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, which serves as a community hub. Supporters argued for child safety improvements along a corridor identified as a statewide priority for pedestrian and bicycle safety upgrades by the Virginia Department of Transportation. The RCA’s constitution requires 15 members present to constitute a quorum, and the organization’s website states all Rosemont residents are automatically members.
2️⃣ Warner welcomes NSF staying in Alexandria, presses for better relocation process
Sen. Mark Warner said Thursday he’s pleased the National Science Foundation will remain in Alexandria after its displacement from Eisenhower Avenue headquarters, but criticized the General Services Administration for a lack of transparency in handling the relocation of approximately 1,600 employees.
“I’m glad that NSF is staying in Alexandria, my hometown,” Warner told The Alexandria Brief during a remote media availability with Virginia reporters.
The comments came six days after GSA announced Nov. 14 that NSF would relocate to the Randolph Building at 401 Dulany Street in early 2026.
Warner’s office also confirmed to The Alexandria Brief that GSA responded in September to a June letter from Virginia’s congressional delegation — nearly 10 weeks after the lawmakers’ July 11 deadline. The two-page response outlined the rationale for moving HUD into NSF’s building, citing projected savings of $500 million in deferred maintenance costs, but did not provide specific answers to many of the delegation’s 19 questions about costs, timelines, and coordination.
3️⃣ Advocacy group calls school conversion plan ‘fiscally irresponsible’
Save Jefferson-Houston is criticizing school board members’ efforts to accelerate conversions of the city’s two K-8 schools into a middle school and elementary school, calling the $40 million proposal fiscally irresponsible given projected enrollment declines after 2031.
The group argued Wednesday that taxpayers funded major capital projects less than a decade ago to create K-8 models at Jefferson-Houston and Patrick Henry, and the district should invest in making those programs succeed before reversing course.
4️⃣ Alexandria child abuse response team wins state award
Alexandria’s Multi-Disciplinary Team that investigates child abuse allegations has been named 2025 MDT of the Year by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Virginia. The Center for Alexandria’s Children announced the honor Tuesday, recognizing the team’s collaborative approach during a year of significant transition.
“Our city’s children deserve to grow up safe, supported, and surrounded by adults who believe in them,” Mayor Alyia Gaskins said. “Alexandria’s MDT makes that possible by responding with empathy, expertise, and unity in moments that can define a child’s life.” .
5️⃣ City Council to discuss General Assembly priorities, economic growth plan Tuesday
Alexandria City Council will hold its regular legislative meeting Tuesday at 7 p.m., featuring a work session with the city’s Virginia General Assembly delegation and updates on economic development and the Alex311 service request system. The meeting follows an executive session at 6 p.m.
Staff will present ALX Forward: A Strategic Framework for Economic Growth, a comprehensive economic development plan developed after the May 2025 economic summit with input from more than 890 community stakeholders. The framework focuses on place-based development, business retention and recruitment, and entrepreneurship and innovation. The council will also hear a five-year update on Alex311, which has processed 172,565 service requests since launch, with on-time resolution rates rising from 72% in fiscal 2021 to 90% in fiscal 2025.
Extra Extra!
Alexandria placed 10th in the nation among cities with populations between 125,000 and 249,999 in the 2025 Digital Cities Survey, which recognizes municipalities for innovation in information technology, community engagement, cybersecurity and digital service delivery. (The Alexandria Brief)
The city will host its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on Saturday in Market Square from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free event will feature the arrival of Santa Claus via the King Street Trolley, with the tree lighting scheduled between 6:40 and 6:55 p.m. (The Alexandria Brief)
An Alexandria man has been charged after police say a firearm fell out of his bag, causing it to fire, during a Henrico County youth soccer game. (WRIC)
The importance of literacy: High school reading in the midst of all-time low English scores. (Theogony)
Discover what’s new in Alexandria this holiday season. (Visit Alexandria)
The 2025 Alexandria Cider Festival will be held in the garden of the historic Lloyd House on Saturday. (City of Alexandria)
All City of Alexandria government offices will be closed on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28, to observe Thanksgiving. Other schedule changes and closures are listed on the city’s website. (City of Alexandria)
On this day in Alexandria history
On November 21, 1947, the Alexandria Traffic Board lifted the limit on the number of cabs that could operate in the City. Earlier in the year, the Traffic Board had permitted only 150 cabs to operate until the results of a survey could be analyzed.
